Second UK swine flu death

A second person has died of swine flu in the UK, health officials have confirmed.

The 73-year-old man from the Inverclyde area died at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley on Saturday night.

Scottish health officials said that the man had 'serious underlying health conditions' and had been in the hospital's intensive care unit for 15 days.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: 'The family have asked for the patient's identity to be kept private. We are respecting their wish and will not be releasing the identity of this patient while the family come to terms with their loss.

'Although it is concerning that the patient had swine flu, we are aware that the patient had very serious underlying health issues.

'It's important to remember that the vast majority of those who have H1N1 are suffering from relatively mild symptoms.'

A family spokesperson said: 'Our beloved relative was private in life and we would ask that his privacy continues to be respected as we try to come to terms with our loss.'

Earlier this month, a 38-year-old woman who gave birth prematurely while being treated at the Royal Alexandra Hospital died after contracting H1N1. She also had underlying health conditions.

According to the latest figures from the World Health Organisation, there have been 263 deaths and nearly 60,000 cases in some 100 countries and territories.

NetDoctor, part of the Hearst UK wellbeing network
Netdoctor participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.